Illuminated sign.



J. L. DAWES. ILLUMINATED SIGN. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1913.

Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR J. L. DAWES.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1913.

Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNTED STATES PAENT FFTQ.

JOHN L. DAWES, O13 PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

Application filed March 1. 1913. Serial No. 751,505.

and useful. Improvement in Illuminated Signs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this spcclfication, in wlnch- Figures 1 and 2 are side and edge views, respectively, of a sign embodying my inven tion; Fig. 3 IS a central transverse section; Fig. 4 1s a detail sectional view of a portion of the sign; Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sectional views illustrating du'ferent forms of the oint between the frame sections; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view hereinafter fully described; Fig. 8 is a front elevation partly broken away showing another form or" my invention; and Fig.- 9 is a vertical sect on of a portion of the structure shown in 'Fig. 8.'

My invention has relation to illuminated signs for advertising purposes, and is designed to provide an attractive and effective sign which can be manufactured at relatively small cost.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention and which will now be described, the numerals 2 and 3 designate two metal rings which constitute the frame of the sign and which are hinged together at one edge, as indicated at 4. These two frame rings are arranged to open and close on their hinge connection; and for the purpose of foiaiing a tight joint between them when closed, one of them (in the present instance, the ring 3) is formed with a flange extension 5 of reduced diameter over which the ring 2 fits in closing. This flange 5 may be formed either by a separate piece 6, secured to the ring, or by offsetting the ring inwardly, as shown at 7 in Fig. 6.

l hen closed, the frame sections may be locked by any suitable securing device, as the set screw 8.

Held in each of the frame sections is a convel glass plate or lens 9. To secure these lenses nhplace, the frame sections 2 and 3 are each formed with an inturned flange 10 at the edge. The lenses are further secured by the blocks 11. The flange is notched at intervals, as indicated at 12. to fit over the I blocks 11 when the sign is closed.

The numeral 13 designates an incandescent electric lamp, whose socket 1e!E is fixed in the ring section 3. the ring section 2 being recessed at 15 to fit the said socket. The

socket 14 may be fixed in the ring section so as to form a support for said section, and also for the entire sign in any suitable manner, as by soldering. v V

16 designates ventilator openings which may be formed in one or both of the rings at the upper portion thereof adjacent to the electric lamp.

The lenses 9 are preferably of ground or translucent glass, upon which any desired advertising matter may be placed.

The sign can be suspended from any suitable support, the lamp forming the suspension and supporting means; it is attractive in appearance, and can be manufactured and sold at a relativel low cost.

Fig. 8 shows a modification of the invention, which is adapted to be supported from below. The sign proper is in all respects similar to that first described, except that the hinge 17 is at the top of the sign, while the lamp 18 is at the bottom portion. 19 designates a suitable base, to which the lamp socket 20 is shown as being attached by a screw-threaded connection at 21. The socket 20 has the shoulder 29-, between which the shoulder 23 of the base and the ring 3 is clamped when the socket is screwed in position. The ring 8 may be provided with a suitable reinforce 3* at its clamping portion. In this manner the sign proper is supported firmly by the lamp socket, as in the form first described." In both forms the lamp socket not only supports the entire sign when in its normal or closed position, but also when the sign is opened.

By placing the hinge opposite the lamp, the lamp is made convenient of access for renewals, since all that is necessary is to open the sign in the manner of a watch case and the lamp is at once readily accessible. This also facilitates opening the sign for the purpose of cleaning the interior or for placing in the interior any suitable advertising matter which it may be desired to display instead of placing this on the outer surface of the lenses.

It will be readily understood that the invention is susceptible of various modifications in its details of construction and arrangement within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. An illuminated sign comprising two circular frame members hinged together at one side and arranged to close upon each other one of said members having a flanged extension of reduced diameter over which the other member closes, a convex lens carried by each of the frame members, and means for llluminating the sign from the 1nterior thereof, the illuminating means also forming a support for the sign; substantially as described.

2. An illuminated sign comprising two metallic rings hinged together at one side and adapted to close upon each other, a convex lens secured in each of the rings, and a lamp extending within "he sign at the side opposite the hinges, said lamp having a socket which engages the rings to form a support therefor; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN L. DAWES.

lVitnesses R. A. BALDERSON, H. M. Conwnm- Gopiem of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

